Pressing machine



Aug. 11, 1936. J 5 PATTERSON 2,050,627

PRESSING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ORNEY Aug. 11, 1936. J 3 PATTERSQN 2,050,627

PRES S ING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR John J; lirzzewan RNEY! Aug. 11, 1936. v J. s. PATTERSON 2,050,627

PRESSING MACHINE Filed June 9, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR TRNE PatentedAug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSING MACHINE Application June 9, 1933, Serial No. 675,099

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pressing machines and more particularly, to a machine designed especially for use in the pressing of such articles as mens coats, particularly those difiicult-to-machine-press washable coats of linen, cotton and the like.

Heretofore, in the pressing of such coats, hand finishing work has been necessary, particularly to press those portions of the coats between the shoulder seams and the lapels, and even then, the pressing has not been accomplished in a manner to give the coats the desired form fit.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a pressing machine which en- 'ables the upper portions of mens coats, which portions are the most diificult to machine press, to be easily, conveniently and efiiciently pressed, with proper form fit, and to that end, the present improved pressing machine includes a plurality of differently shaped sets of co-operating, relatively movable pressing members, each such set being designed to properly press certain predetermined portions of such articles as mens coats, and the successive use of all such sets effecting the proper pressing of all the upper portions of such articles, thereby rendering hand finishing work in the pressing of such articles wholly unnecessary.

Inasmuch as it is impossible, with more than two rigidly mounted sets of pressing members,

to equalize or distribute the pressure exerted on the lower, work-supporting members or bucks of the several sets of pressing members, due to variation in the thickness of the padding with which either one or both of the pressing members of each set is provided, etc., the present improved pressing machine has the bucks of one or more of its sets of co-operating pressing members, such as those of the middle two of its four such sets, mounted for vertical movement to selectively locate the bucks of such middle two sets either in an operative position slightly above or in an inoperative position slightly below the bucks of the remaining two sets, namely, the end sets. With such a contruction, the ironing pressure exerted through the swingingly mounted, rigid upper pressing members or heads of the several sets, which heads swing as a unit, is applied either to the middle two bucks or to the two end bucks, depending upon whether the middle two bucks are in raised, operative position, as shown in Fig. 6, or in lowered, inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description of the in vention proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the invention as herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a pressing machine, in open position, embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of said machine, in closed position, with portions thereof broken away to show interior construction and with the middle two bucks of the four sets of co-operative pressing members in lowered, inoperative position; Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view of said machine, the view being taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view of two of the treadles of the machine, the view being taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing said treadles in the reverse position; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the middle two bucks in raised, operative position; and Figs. '7 to 15 inclusive are plan views of the several bucks, with work positioned thereon for pressing.

The pressing machine chosen to illustrate the present invention is of the well known scissors type and includes a suitable frame I provided with a support 2 for pedestals 3, 4, 5 and 6, upon which pedestals are respectively mounted worksupporting lower pressing members or bucks I, 8, 9 and I0 suitably padded, as is usual. Cooperating with said bucks are upper pressing members or heads l1, I8, l9 and 20 rigidly mounted on a suitable support 2| carried by the forward ends of a pair of yoke members 22 pivoted intermediate their ends, as at 23, upon an upward extension 24 of the machine frame I. The heads here shown are of the hollow, steam heated type and are unpadded, such as are used in laundry work. Unpadded heads are preferable in the pressing of linens or cotton coats, but for pressing coats of mens winter suits of wool and the like, the heads should be suitably padded, as will be readily understood.

The present pressing machine, as is usual, is closed by, swinging the upper pressing members or heads l1, l8, l9 and 20 down into co-operative engagement, respectively, with the lower pressing members or bucks I, 8, 9 and ID, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and is opened by swinging said heads upwardly out of such engagement, as shown in Fig. 1, said heads, in the present machine, moving both downwardly and upwardly as a unit. To effect such closing and opening of the press, suitable toggle mechanism (not shown) is operatively connected to the rear ends of the yoke members 22 and for operating said toggle mechanism, suitable power means in the form of a pneumatic piston and cylinder structure 28 is provided, said structure being controlled by a pair of hand levers 29 and 3G, depression of both of which effects a closing of the press, and by a foot lever or treadle 3!, depression of which effects an opening of the press. Inasmuch as said control mechanism forms no particular part of the present invention, it is not here illustrated or described in detail, but if further information is desired concerning the construction or operation of this part of the present machine, reference may be had to the Singiser Pressing machine Patent No. 1,890,341, granted December 6, 1932, in which patent said control mechanism is fully illustrated and described.

As clearly shown in the accompanying drawings, the co-operating pressing members of the several sets of pressing members are of different shapes, the pressing members of each set being of such shape as to enable them to efficiently and properly press certain predetermined portions of such articles as mens coats, particularly washable coats of linen, cotton and the like, such as men wear. in the summer, in offices, etc. By the successive use of the several sets of pressing members here shown, the upper portions of such coats can be easily, conveniently and efficiently pressed, in a manner to give them the desired form fit and without the necessity of any hand finishing work thereon whatsoever.

The set of pressing members at the right end of the machine, as viewed in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, namely, the buck I0 and its co-operating head 20, are for use in pressing the lapels 35, 36 of such coats, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the collars 31 of such coats, as shown in Fig. 9, and the upper portions 38 of mens trousers, as shown in Fig. 15. For the accomplishment of this work, the buck I8 and its co-operating head 2;) are given a generally triangular shape in plan view with a slight transverse upward curvature, as clearly shown in the accompanying drawings.

The set of pressing members at the left end of the machine, namely, the buck I and its cooperating head H, are for use in pressing those portions 39 just'below, and those portions 48 just to the sides of, the coat collars 31, as shown in Fig. 10, and for creasing said collars, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The proper pressing by machine of those portions 48 at the sides of the collars, namely, those portions lying between the shoulder seams 32 and the lapels 35, 36 was heretofore believed to be impossible of accomplishment and hand finishing of these parts was therefore resorted to in all quality pressing. With the use of this set of pressing members I, I1, however, such portions are machine pressed in a manner equally as good as with hand irons and in a much shorter time, of course. As a result, the cost of pressing such coats can be materially decreased without any sacrifice whatsoever in the quality thereof. For the accomplishment of this work, the buck I and its cooperating head I! are given a generally U-shape in plan view with a slight longitudinal upward curvature, as shown.

The set of pressing members 9, I9 just to the left of the right end set, or in other words, the third one of the four sets, as viewed from the front of the machine, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, are for use in pressing the shoulders 45 of such coats, as shown in Fig. 13, and for the accomplishment of such work, the buck 9 and its co-operative head l9 are given a generally rectangular shape in plain view. Preferably and as shown (see Fig. 6), this buck and head are tilted slightly forward to enable the shoulder lays to be made without disturbing or distorting the other portions of the coats.

The remaining set of pressing members 8, I 8, namely, the second one as viewed from the front of the machine, are for use in pressing the upper portions of the coat backs, and this set of pressing members, performing the last pressing work on the coats, plays an important part in giving said coats the desired form fitting effects which enable such coats to hang properly and to properly hug the necks and shoulders of the wearers thereof. For the accomplishment of this work, the buck 8 and its co-operating head 3 are given a somewhat triangular shape in plan view with a longitudinal upward curvature, as shown.

In the pressing of the upper portions of such a coat, the several lays are preferably made in the order above referred to, that is, the coat lapels 35, 36 are successively pressed by the use of the pressing members I9, 28, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, and then the coat collar 3'! is pressed by the use of such pressing members, as shown in Fig. 9, such lays being made with the inside of the coat turned uppermost. Those portions 39, 66 adjacent the collar 3'! are next pressed by use of the pressing members 7, H, as shown in Fig. 10, this lay being made with the outside of the coat turned uppermost and with the previously pressed collar 3? turned downwardly into the central opening of the buck 1, as shown. The two sides of the collar 31 are then creased, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, by the use of the pressing members 1, H, the operator with one hand grasping the coat at approximately the first button thereof and with the other hand grasping the coat collar at substantially its center line. The creasing of the collar requires but little time, inasmuch as it has been previously dried and pressed by members [0, 20, Fig. 9. The shoulders 45 of the coat are next pressed, by the successive use of the pressing members 9, 59, as shown in Fig. 13, and thereafter the coat is draped over buck 8, as shown in Fig. 14, and the top portion of the back thereof pressed by the head 18 co-operating with said buck, this completing the pressing of the upper portions of the coat. The several lays are so made that all parts of the top portion of the coat are pressed in the above specified steps, the pressing being accomplished in a manner to make hand finishing work unnecessary and to make increased production easy to attain.

As shown in Fig. 15, the pressing members I0, 20 are also adapted for use in pressing the upper portions of mens trousers, such. work being accomplished in four similar lays of which one lay is shown, namely, the one for the pressing of the right front portion of the trousers.

Inasmuch as it is impossible, with more than two rigidly mounted sets of pressing members, to equalize or distribute the pressure exerted on the lower, work-supporting pressing members or bucks, due to variation in the thickness of the padding with which said bucks are provided, etc., the present improved pressing machine has one or more of its bucks, such as the middle two bucks 8 and 9 in the embodiment of the invention here illustrated, mounted for vertical movement to selectively locate said bucks either in an operative position slightly above or in an inoperative position slightly below the remaining bucks, such as the end bucks 1, It. With such a construction, the ironing pressure exerted through the swingingly mounted, upper pressing members or heads [1, l8, l9 and 29, which heads swing both downwardly and upwardly as a unit, being rigidly mounted on the support 2!, as before referred to, is applied either to the middle two bucks 8 and 9 or to the two end bucks 1 and I9, depending upon whether the middle two bucks are in raised, operative position, as shown in Fig. 6, or in lowered, inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2.

The means here shown for mounting the two middle bucks 8 and 9 for such vertical movement includes a separate support 50 therefor, with which the buck carrying pedestals 4 and 5 are integral, although, of course, they need not be. Said support, through its front and rear depending flanges iii, 52, respectively, is mounted upon a pair of front rollers 53 and a pair of rear rollers 56, said front rollers being mounted upon the upper ends of a pair of front levers 51 and said rear rollers being mounted upon the upper ends of a pair of rear levers 58, said levers 51, 58 being fast, respectively, on the front and rear ends of two transversely disposed shafts 99.

' Connected to each of said shafts is a lever 6!,

which levers are connected by means of connecting rods 63 and levers 64 to a longitudinally disposed shaft 56 suitably mounted in the .machine frame 5. Connected to said shaft 66 by means of a lever 67 and a connecting rod 68 is a foot lever or treadle l9 pivoted intermediate its ends in a suitable bracket 12. Alongside the treadle I and operatively connected to it by a bell-crank lever M is another treadle I5, this second treadle having its rear end pivoted at 1B in a suitable bracket H. The connection of such treadles l9, 15 is such that depression of either treadle raises the other one, and thus a convenient, foot operated means is provided for effecting, when desired, vertical movement of the two middle bucks 8 and 9, to selectively locate them either above or below the plane of the two end bucks I and i9.

To guide such middle bucks in their vertical movement, the support 59 therefor is provided, such as at its ends, with depending guide pins 89 entering suitable apertures in the pedestal support 2, and in order to cushion the shocks produced upon lowering of said bucks, suitable cushioning means 82 is arranged between said pedestal support 2 and the corners of said support 59, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In the operation of the machine, when it is desired to press work on either or both of the two middle bucks 8 and 9, assuming said bucks to be in their lowered, inoperative position, Fig. 2, the operator depresses treadle 10, thereby raising treadle l and elevating the middle bucks 8 and 9 to their operative position shown in Fig. 6. The depression of treadle 39 effects such elevation of said middle bucks by raising connecting rod 68, turning levers 61, 64 and shaft 66 counter-clockwise, lowering connecting rods 63, and turning levers BI, 51, 58 and shaft 60 clockwise, the rollers of levers 51 and 58 engaging and raising the flanges 5|, 52 of support 50 upon which are mounted the pedestals 4 and 5 of bucks 8 and 9.

With the middle two bucks 8 and 9 in their raised, operative position shown in Fig. 6, the operator depresses the hand control levers 29 and 39 and thereby effects closing of the press and consequent pressing engagement of the two middle sets of pressing members, namely, buck 8 and head l8 and buck 9 and head I9. Inasmuch as bucks 8 and 9 are above the plane of the end bucks I and If], the end heads H and 28 are prevented from engaging the end bucks, as shown in Fig. 6, so that all ironing pressure is applied to the middle two bucks 8 and 9, with consequent pressing of the work thereon.

'To open the press, the operator depresses treadle 32 which, through the connections fully disclosed in the aforesaid Singiser patent, elevates the several heads El, l8, l9 and 29 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

If the operator now desires to press Work on the end bucks l and ID, the treadle is depressed, which raises treadle l9 and lowers the two middle bucks 8 and 9, through the connec tions above described, to their inoperative position below the plane of the end bucks i and I9, as shown in Fig. 2. Depression of the hand control levers 29 and 39 again results in closing of the press but this time, pressing engagement is effected only between the pressing members of the two end sets, namely, between buck I and head'i'i and between buck l0 and head 20, the pressing members of the two middle setsbeing out of engagement, as shown in Fig. 2. All of the ironing pressure is therefore applied to the two end bucks I and ill, with consequent pressing of the work thereon, all as will be readily understood.

To obtain maximum production, one or two of the present pressing machines are arranged for tandem operation with a more or less standard type, single head and buck pressing machine, with which the lower portions of mens coats and trousers are pressed, so that such work may advance steadily and rapidly to completion, it being desired, of course, to have both of the two middle sets or both of the two end sets of the present machine in use each time said press is closed.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, two sets of pressing members, each such set comprising .a lower, work-receiving pressing member and a co -operating upper pressing member, the pressing members of one set being shaped differently from the pressing members of the other set, whereby different pressing operations may be performed by the use of such sets, a movable support on which the upper pressing members of both sets .face is at alevel lower than that of the workreceiving face of said stationary lower pressing ."member, and'means forselectively moving said movable lower pressing memberto its operative position, in which event movement of said upper pressing members to pressing position will result only. in pressing engagement between said movable lowerpressing member and its co-operating upper pressing member, or to its inoperative position, in which event movement of said upper pressing members to pressing position will result. only inpressing engagement between said stationary lower pressing member and its co- :operating upper presssing member.

2. In a pressing machine, two end sets of pressing. members and an intermediate set of pressing members, each such set comprising a :lower work-receiving pressing member and a co=.operating upper pressing membenthethree sets axof :pressing members being difierently shaped for different pressing operations, a movable support on which the upper pressing mem- -bersof all three sets are rigidly mounted for movement therewith as a unit, the pressing faces of said upper pressing members lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, operating means for said support to selectively move said upper pressing members into and out of pressing position, the lower pressing members of the end sets being stationary and having their work-re- ;.-ceiving'rfaces lying .in' substantially .the same horizontal plane, the lower pressing member of :the intermediate set being vertically movable between; an operative position,

work-receiving face is at a level higher than in which its "that of. the work-receiving faces of said end lower pressing members, and an inoperative po- -:sition,' in which its work-receiving face is ata levellower than that of. the work-receiving faces of said end lower pressing members, and means forselectively moving said intermediate lower pressing member to its operative position, in

"which event movement of said upper pressing .members to pressing position will result only in pressing engagement between the co-operating pressing members of said intermediate set, or to its inoperative position, in which event movement of said upper pressing members to pressing position will result only in pressing engagement between the co-operating pressing members .of said end sets.

3. In a pressing machine, two. end sets of :pressing members and two intermediate sets of pressing members, each such set comprisinga lower, work-receiving pressing member and a co-operating upper pressing member, the four sets of pressing members being differently shaped for difierent pressing operations, a movable support on which the upper pressing members of all four sets are rigidly mounted for movement therewith as a unit, the pressing faces of said upper pressing members lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, operating means for said support to selectively move .sald

upper pressing members into and out of pressing position, separate stationary supports for the lower pressing members of said end sets, a vertically movable common support for the lower pressing members of said intermediate sets, and a single operating means for said last named -support to'eselectively move its lower pressing members to an operative position in which the work-receiving faces of said intermediate mem- -'that of said end lower pressing members, in

which event movement of said upper pressing,

members'to pressing position will result only in pressing engagement between the co-operating pressing members of said end sets.

JOHN S; PATTERSON. 

